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* Gov. Pritzker had this to say yesterday during his press conference…
I just want to add one comment, though, you asked about candidates. One thing I will say to you is, if you want to have the job of being governor, you should have to take questions from members of the media just like I do. And so I would hope that any candidate that is running and announced that they’re going to run is going to take questions, and not wait weeks after announcing to do so.
It’s true that the Republican candidates for all of the statewide offices have not yet or (for those who jumped into the race last year) rarely if ever publicly submit themselves to questions from reporters.
* DPI today…
Statewide GOP Candidates’ Silence on Trump, Biden Speaks Volumes
Today, on the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s inauguration, every Illinois Republican statewide candidate is choosing to remain silent about where they stand on the Big Lie that continues to undermine our democracy. Illinois voters deserve to know if these candidates want to take the Big Lie to Springfield or if they accept the results of free and fair elections.
All of the statewide Republican candidates, including Richard Irvin, Darren Bailey, Jesse Sullivan, Paul Schimpf, Gary Rabine, Avery Bourne, Stephanie Trussell, Carolyn Schofield, Aaron Del Mar, John Milhiser, Dan Brady, Tom Demmer, Shannon Teresi, and Steve Kim, must go on the record and answer basic questions about the 2020 presidential election. It should not be difficult for these candidates to tell voters who they voted for in the 2020 presidential election, if they accept Joe Biden as the legitimate winner, and if they will accept the electoral results in 2022.
Their continued silence speaks volumes about their priorities and willingness to undermine the democratic process. It is clear that with the modern Republican Party, our democracy takes a backseat to their political agenda.
Thoughts?
…Adding… He’s taken questions on most of these topics over the years, and he just held a long press conference yesterday and nobody asked the other questions on this list…
The Illinois Republican Party released the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s call for Republicans to answer questions:
“Republicans will not be lectured on answering questions by a Madigan-allied governor who refuses to answer basic questions about his own corruption and scandals. When JB Pritzker starts answering about indictments, patronage, tax fraud, dead veterans and state-sponsored child abuse, he’ll have just a tad more credibility.”
Every time JB Pritzker uses the phrase “answer questions,” we’ll send around another set of questions that JB Pritzker refuses to answer. Here are two questions for today:
When did JB Pritzker first learn that his DCFS was abusing children, and why hasn’t he fired the DCFS director?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 10:47 am
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True, every word.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 10:53 am
Spot on and the media should react accordingly and give little to no attention to them if they won’t answer questions. I am sure this is easier said than done, but really how it should be in the utopia I live in.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 10:56 am
JB must be an impatient fellow – Irvin announced on Monday, and two days later, he is calling him out …
“And so I would hope that any candidate that is running and announced that they’re going to run is going to take questions, and not wait weeks after announcing to do so.”
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 10:57 am
There are definitely hard questions to ask that will have the GOP candidates dancing a fanciful jig. I doubt the good reporters like Rich, Hannah, Mark … get any real answers. The candidates will focus on the softball tosses from the amateur local reporters.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 10:59 am
Irvin, and that ticket, given the “probable” monetary windfall, I don’t expect any one of those candidates to appear and take questions anytime soon unless it’s to their advantage.
Doesn’t hurt to make this ask, but I can’t see it mattering too much, or changing the timetable that ticket has in mind.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:02 am
Does the DPI think it is actually newsworthy getting Republican candidates for Governor to go on the record as voting for a Republican ticket?
Let the tarring of every Republican candidate for Governor as an insurrectionist begin
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:03 am
They’re waiting on sign-off from Griffin until they can do any campaign events/face voters.
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:06 am
=== Let the tarring of every Republican candidate for Governor as an insurrectionist begin===
You’ve made perfectly clear you don’t mind insurrectionists as part of the party, not once calling them to be condemned, it would be beneficial to know if GOP candidates agree with Chairman Tracy that racist thinkers, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists are welcome by them too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:06 am
Does this mean that the Democratic candidates need to say if they felt the 2018 Georgia Governors’ election was fair? And the winner was properly chosen?
Election questioning isn’t a one way street…
Comment by Fav Human Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:07 am
=== Georgia===
This is Illinois. That’s a Georgia issue.
The last national election led to an insurrection at the Capitol.
See the difference?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:09 am
People that are running for public office should be as transparent as possible with their viewpoints on specific issues. Voters deserve transparency, and the media, in turn can play a constructive role in getting this information out to the voters. Look to President George H.W. Bush’s close friend and advisor James A Baker III for a master class in how this level of candor and credibility can benefit both the politician, the press, and ultimately the voters.
Comment by Middle Way Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:11 am
Only Irvin has submitted himself for questions. All the other candidates have made repeated press appearances.
Comment by Watchful eye. Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:13 am
Excuse me. Has not
Comment by Watchful eye. Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:13 am
For the preservation of the Union, the guarantee of basic law and order and to ensure the safety of all the nation’s residents, it is prudent for all to equate silence with support of Trump’s Big Lie.
Comment by Jasmine Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:17 am
=Does the DPI think it is actually newsworthy getting Republican candidates for Governor to go on the record as voting for a Republican ticket?=
Maybe not, but hearing how the candidates stand on the results of free and fair elections - and by extension, you know, democracy - is kind of a big deal.
Comment by LakeCo Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:17 am
==Let the tarring of every Republican candidate for Governor as an insurrectionist begin==
Oh LP, we have missed your insights/s
I am an independent voter and actually DO wish to know where candidates stand as well as hearing their non-answers from reporters’ questions. Don’t care which party they represent.
Comment by Interim Retiree Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:18 am
Irvin: Hello?
Rauner: Hi this is Bruce. Don’t let them trick you with that question. When they ask if you voted for Trump, tell them to focus…focus…
Bailey would like to know who Irvin voted for.
In terms of whether it’s a relevant question, if the shoe was on the other foot, and a Democratic president deliberately stirred his supporters into a seditious rage, resulting in a violent assault on our Capitol, what would the GOP do?
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:21 am
LP wants the party that inspired the insurrection, attempted the insurrection, minimized the attempted insurrection, and now defends the insurrectionists to be insulated from any criticism about the insurrection.
That dog won’t hunt.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:23 am
But, but it’s so much easier to issue statements (mostly pre-packaged) than to dance with reporters. Politics is becoming a phone-it-in occupation.
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:27 am
slick way to make the press do their work.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:30 am
“if the shoe was on the other foot” If the shoe were on the other foot, the question would be about supporting Madigan.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:31 am
Just read the comments on any Bailey post on FB and you’ll see person after person saying they want a “fair election” but expect the Dems to steal another one or blah blah blah something something election security. It’s very reasonable to assume his supporters would be all-in on a Springfield Insurrection whenever Bailey inevitably loses. Answers and pledges about accepting election results would be nice, but I’m not holding my breath.
Comment by SE Will Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:37 am
From the DPI statement: “and if they will accept the electoral results in 2022″.
Excuse me, DPI, are Democrats going to accept the electoral results in 2022?
Last night, the US Senate debate over the filibuster was about Democratic fears over election integrity in many states in…2022 and beyond.
Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:40 am
pritzker will win reelection. but I warn other Democratic candidates. don’t use Trump as an election theme. us die hard independents have moved on. concentrate on the issues we care about.
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:42 am
===us die hard independents ===
Speak only for yourself here unless you have recent and reliable Illinois data. Last warning for you.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:43 am
” When they ask if you voted for Trump”
You have two choices for president - a vote for one does not mean swearing allegiance to that person. Folks vote on policies like lower taxes, immigration, or national security… According to your question, all 74,223,369 that voted for Trump are to be condemned. A better question for Irving would be what are your thoughts on January 6th ?
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:44 am
===It’s very reasonable to assume===
It’s not, actually.
The last “rallies” by these folks brought them out by the “dozens”, plus, no one is going to “stand down” to an insurrection at the Illinois Capitol building or have the executive office be an instigator towards that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:44 am
Where do they stand on the validity of the 2020 election?
Comment by Grimlock Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:47 am
=== a vote for one does not mean swearing allegiance to that person.===
LOL, that is hysterically funny, given how Kinzinger and Cheney are ostracized and nary a Republican seems to be standing up *for* them, as the Cult Leader demands that those not pledging allegiance is a “R_N_”
I mean, who exactly are you trying to fool here, sincerely, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:50 am
Would like someone to also ask Ms. Bourne, “given you were hand picked by Bruce Rauner, do you support his approach to human service funding, you know like not paying providers forcing them borrow funds to pay their staff and forcing the closure of some?”
Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:52 am
The response the last few days shows who DPI/JB believe their real competition to be. Kinda shocked their not trying to pull a 2012 McCaskill, to be honest.
Comment by SWSider Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:52 am
=== According to your question, all 74,223,369 that voted for Trump are to be condemned===
If you don’t “like” David Duke, then maybe just David Duke “on the policy stuff” kind of absolution, is that what you are saying?
“Sure, we know Trump had racist thinking, supported the Proud Boys, welcomed their support, forced conspiracy theories… but taxes”
lol
Those with ethics lapses…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:53 am
What a ridiculous parlor game.
With their record and lagging poll numbers no wonder why they want to change the subject.
Where do all Democrats stand on the validity of the 2016 election?
Elections are about the future
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:54 am
==JB must be an impatient fellow – Irvin announced on Monday, and two days later, he is calling him out …==
Nah. If you say you’re running for governor but all you do is put out a video, you’re the one acting odd, not the people who notice that.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:54 am
This is a good early test of the Irvin campaign. They obviously planned on not doing interviews any time soon, but there’s the old adage about plans not surviving contact with the battlefield. Irvin’s people are gonna tell him to let it pass, that it’s a process story and to stay disciplined. But my guess is that Irvin didn’t expect to be immediately branded a coward, and I’ve seen plenty of candidates who can’t take their first time in the barrel.
Even if he stands pat, it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Turtling like this means opponents in both parties get to drive narrative. Eventually people are just going to start assigning unpopular positions to him, the time-honored LBJ strategy of “make the SOB deny it.” Every campaign has its limits for what attacks it will allow to go unaddressed.
Comment by vern Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:56 am
==Does the DPI think it is actually newsworthy getting Republican candidates for Governor to go on the record as voting for a Republican ticket?==
If it’s not, then the Griffin Gang can just admit it and move on, right?
==You have two choices for president - a vote for one does not mean swearing allegiance to that person.==
If that’s the case, then the Griffin Gang can just say so and move on, right?
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:57 am
=JB must be an impatient fellow – Irvin announced on Monday, and two days later, he is calling him out …=
LOL, the peanut gallery chimes in. Look, Einstein, every moment Irvin doesn’t speak gives Pritzker & Co. the opportunity to define him. In this case, as someone scared to talk to the press.
Why wouldn’t someone take that opportunity? To not do so would be malpractice
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:58 am
==Kinda shocked their not trying to pull a 2012 McCaskill, to be honest. ==
Plenty of time for that. The DPI video might even be an opening salvo.
Regardless of anything else, just putting out a few press releases or videos and then turtling up is not actually a great way to run a campaign.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:59 am
It’s like the soccer team that gets the 2 goal lead and tries to “park the bus”…except they don’t have a two goal lead.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 11:59 am
==but I warn other Democratic candidates. don’t use Trump as an election theme. us die hard independents have moved on. concentrate on the issues we care about. ==
Then the Republican candidates should be able to just answer the question and move on, right?
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:01 pm
===Elections are about the future===
Tell that to Trump and the Cult.
That’s what this is about. The continuing aggrieved folks who believe that the election was stolen.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:05 pm
==LOL, the peanut gallery chimes in. Look, Einstein, every moment Irvin doesn’t speak gives Pritzker & Co. the opportunity to define him. In this case, as someone scared to talk to the press.==
It’s also just weird. When you’re running for office, especially as a little known candidate, you jump on every opportunity for attention that you get.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:07 pm
=== Why wouldn’t someone take that opportunity? To not do so would be malpractice===
Who exactly is paying attention right now?
It’s malpractice if there was $100,000 ad buy for 3 days or..
At a time of their choosing they will move forward.
Others may not like the timeline, but it’s their game.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:09 pm
If we’re playing to win and we’re playing for keeps where winning by any means and keeping by any means is the priority - the GOP and GOP candidates have no benefit to subjecting themselves to the opportunity to take questions from reporters through a press conference. Especially reporters for major newspapers of record or reports who are specialized in reporting on state government and state politics. To do so would be to risk their ability to control every aspect of their message.
At the same time there are media outlets that will specifically report on their press releases verbatim with no additional effort on their part to address the topic within the press release. There are also media outlets that will “avoid politics” due to concerns about alienating their audience. The right wing has also created their own propaganda mills in the form of free newspapers, networks like OAN. Propaganda is big business. Besides networks and media outlets cashing in on ad revenue, individuals can raise their own profile by adding to and expanding on the propaganda while bringing in checks through platforms like YouTube.
This effort is coordinated but often times does not appear to be so because social media has allowed for people to latch on if they can create content that draws eyeballs and many different organizations or specific very rich people are behind their separate efforts or pushes. This effort has also been going on for decades — well before Donald Trump started openly advocating for violence against American journalists covering his campaign. When your entire campaign is based off of rhetoric that isn’t based on reality and no real policy proposals journalists asking questions is not a good thing. When your entire campaign relies on gaslighting voters to either vote your way or stay home, journalists asking questions is not a good thing.
The real question in the next election cycle or two is what will journalists do to address being shut out by GOP candidates? I hope that many more will adopt the same approach that our very own Rich Miller has done by reporting on it.
Thank you, Rich, for reporting on this very important issue that has impacts that stretch far beyond this state. The GOP doesn’t want to provide access to the media because the GOP understands that questioning what they’re up to in a public forum will help the People of Illinois and of the United States see them for what they are.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:10 pm
== lagging poll numbers==
Citation needed.
==Where do all Democrats stand on the validity of the 2016 election?==
JB Pritzker has spoken at great length about what he thought of Donald Trump’s election and has publicly endorsed his party’s Presidential nominees.
==Elections are about the future ==
Then the Republican candidates can talk about that, right?
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:10 pm
Arsenal. I have been placed in the penalty box for goal tenders interference.
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:13 pm
==the GOP and GOP candidates have no benefit to subjecting themselves to the opportunity to take questions from reporters through a press conference==
This is absolutely true, but I do remain surprised that the Griffin Gang hasn’t done many public events or really much of anything besides a video and some press releases.
As for the non-Griffin Republicans, some of them have been out there more, or their lack of action is explained by their lack of funds.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:13 pm
LP, time to take yourself and your insurrectionist sympathies and excuses back into hibernation. You’re not adding any constructive counterpoint.
Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:14 pm
===us die hard independents have moved on===
I’ll just mark this down as 1 vote against. The rest of the Independents can speak for themselves. You might be surprised that many may disagree with you.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:15 pm
Sorry, missed Rich’s comment making mine unnecessary.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:20 pm
=Others may not like the timeline, but it’s their game.=
Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean they’re playing their game competently
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:22 pm
Rauner and Griffin haven’t given approval yet.
Comment by Real Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:23 pm
=== Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean they’re playing their game competently===
Who exactly is paying attention on a large scale?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:25 pm
Come on now; there’s a lot of Republicans and Proft and Bishop can only be stretched so far.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:27 pm
“Does the DPI think it is actually newsworthy getting Republican candidates for Governor to go on the record as voting for a Republican ticket?”
This from the clown who spent years demanding that every Democratic candidate from dog-catcher to US Senator publicly declare their take on Michael Madigan?
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:43 pm
It’s a fair hit and should be chimed by Bailey, Rabine, Sullivan and Schimpf as well. Decorated Army vet being called a coward and scared of the press for 3-4 days straight will bring them out in the open.
I believe a big fear of reporters asking too many questions of the slate is the opportunity for one of them to make the Freirichs fumble, which can prove disastrous.
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:50 pm
===Where do all Democrats stand on the validity of the 2016 election?===
No matter what the underlying point you’re trying to make, let’s not turn the foreign interference that occurred during our 2016 election and the subsequent efforts to investigate and explore that issue after several of our government intelligence apparatuses and the U.S. Department of State issued reports advising of that interference to what Donald Trump and his co-conspirators have done in response to losing the 2020 election.
They are very, very, very different things.
Representative Chris Miller literally declared war on the American people that day. Speaking of, someone should ask him if he’s still at war with the American people. Maybe that’s what Darren’s money was for. Darren gets a bunch of PPP money from the federal government and then gives a bunch of money to someone who declared war against the American people on January 6th. Maybe we should ask Darren about that too.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:51 pm
Better question… Has Irvin met with Griffin yet? Ask it of his people everyday since he’s not going to go into public and answer questions on his own.
Comment by Long year Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 12:51 pm
Ignoring, mocking, and vilifying the media is good politics in a Republican primary.
Though, I hope the point isn’t lost on reporters. At some point, they should ignore the GOP press releases if the candidates are going to remain in hiding.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 1:07 pm
=== At some point, they should ignore the GOP press releases if the candidates are going to remain in hiding.===
That’s *good* for the slate, actually.
Thinking nine-figures in ads where there’s no reason to think the press is going to cover press releases, they can go full bore without any interference?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 1:10 pm
It’s inside baseball at this point. They will come out at some point. How many of our neighbors care about this now? Really close to none.
Comment by Meh Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 1:18 pm
==Ignoring, mocking, and vilifying the media is good politics in a Republican primary.==
Problem for the Griffin Gang is right now they’re only doing the first one.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 1:19 pm
@Willy
That’s a legit question. Once the ad spending starts, then I suppose the ads become the story — and reporters will fact check the ads and cover the Grif contributions, etc. But until then, I’d hope some reporters would tell the Grif slate they’re not going to just regurgitate press releases without getting to talk to the candidates. I’m probably being naive.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 1:39 pm
The question on my mind is who are the 75 cannabis dealers and why are they a State secret. More Sunshine please.
Comment by George Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 1:48 pm
OW I called for a bipartisan investigation of the insurrection on January 6th 2021, as well as agreeing with 60% of the public who wanted the origins of the 2020 riots also investigated.
Your apology is accepted in advance with no hard feelings.
https://capitolfax.com/2021/07/21/rodney-davis-email-claims-he-was-going-to-use-sham-insurrection-probe-to-expose-democrats-for-the-lies-they-have-been-feeding-the-american-people/
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 2:00 pm
===I’m probably being naive.===
I don’t think that at all. Nope.
It’s that in 2013, the rules changed with Rauner. The rules then changed where racist thinking was empowered and emboldened in 2015 with Trump, and in 2017 Pritzker rewrote the Rauner playbook, a “Skyhook, in reverse” so to speak.
Now in 2022… with a pushed back primary… the rules kinda are the same(?) but “modified” … why say anything when there’s no need, especially as one group tries to stave off the critically awful Trump put upon a party. Too many questions that hurt on too many levels, that can be avoided… by choosing the times to be available to speak, answer, or explain.
Once that’s all clear, the rest kinda falls into a place that makes sense, if you accept “things evolved”.
Be well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 2:06 pm
=us die hard independents=
As an independent voter, I disagree.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 2:18 pm
“Let the tarring of every Republican candidate for Governor as an insurrectionist begin.”
Those who supported insurrectionists are insurrectionists.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 2:22 pm
IMO. the results of my informal polling will be either validated at the midterms or I will be just another arm chair expert. that’s the fun of this blog.
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 2:26 pm
===I called for…===
Like every bit of your utterly ridiculous bot programming that you push daily, anyone who clicks on your “proof” will once again be *shocked* that not only are you misleading in your attempt to seem “right”, other commenters continue to show in that real time how wrong you were.
You support Trump, you supported Trump.
You continue to support those that supported Trump.
Have you denounced the racist thinkers, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 2:32 pm
Do you believe Donald Trump lost the election…fair and square?…that’s the first question I will ask every candidate for office…given a chance.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 2:33 pm
==I called for a bipartisan investigation of the insurrection on January 6th 2021==
Where did you do that? It’s not in the link you shared. All you did there was whine that a bipartisan investigation wasn’t really bipartisan bc it had the wrong kind of Republicans.
Anyway, I wonder if the Republican candidates agree with your or not. Shame there’s no way to know. Sure wish they’d answer some questions from reporters, or even “just” voters.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 2:44 pm
Illinois Democrats should ask Virginia Governor Mc Auliffe how the strategy of focusing on Trump worked out for his campaign.
Governor Youngkin won by focusing on the issues the voters cared about
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 4:06 pm
**Do you believe Donald Trump lost the election…fair and square?…that’s the first question I will ask every candidate for office…given a chance.**
You seem to think that’s a slam dunk. How many ultrapartisan Dems believed the Russiagate nonsense for which Mueller came up empty handed?
Comment by Pungent Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 4:13 pm
“Do you believe that Donald Trump won his [2016] election… fair and square?” would be a fair question, just the same.
Yesterday when asked about election integrity the POTUS assured us that it hinges upon Democrats’ passing a sweeping overhaul and federal takeover of our election system. This, of course, right after the freest and fairest election in the history of the world, of course.
He said himself. Just one year ago we just had the bestest most awesomest election ever before, but we are in jeopardy of losing that if we don’t pass their bill. Good afternoon, the bill didn’t pass. What of the nature of our elections now?
Comment by Ainsley Hayes Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 4:38 pm
==wanted the origins of the 2020 riots also investigated==
And there’s that “yeah, but” argument.
January 6 was wrong. Period. End of story. There’s no “yeah, but” to be made about it. If you can’t manage to give that answer then you don’t have anything of use to add to the conversation and are nothing more than an another Marjorie Taylor Greene type.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 4:39 pm
@Ainsley:
There’s been just a few election bills passed by Republicans since the last election that are attempting to turn that last free and fair election on its head by making voting harder.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 4:42 pm
===Good afternoon, the bill didn’t pass. What of the nature of our elections now?===
It’s more of a self-own to Republicans… I mean, they see no need for fairer or freere elections, they still think 2020 was stolen… so what glee do Republicans actually have, they’re excited they stopped the John Lewis Act to diminish election integrity while claiming there was no integrity at all in 2020
If Trumpkins are against democracy, they are telling everyone who will listen, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 4:42 pm
===Illinois Democrats should ask Virginia Governor Mc Auliffe how the strategy of focusing on Trump worked out for his campaign.===
That will be a year removed. Abortion *could* likely be far bigger than Trump in “state” elections.
If Bailey wins, you think being a Trumpkin will help him?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 6:31 pm
=Illinois Democrats should ask Virginia Governor Mc Auliffe how the strategy of focusing on Trump worked out for his campaign.=
I would think that you’d be delighted if this were the path they chose to follow. But ignoring your advice over the years seems to have served them well.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jan 20, 22 @ 8:05 pm